Amazon Prime Launches Standalone Streaming to Compete With Netflix

Multiple outlets have launched individual standalone options to match that of industry leader Netflix, though Amazon has consistently lagged behind for its streaming service’s tether to an overall Prime rate of $99 per year. No longer, as Amazon Prime launches a far more competitive monthly streaming subscription on par with Netflix, as well as a new Prime rate for shopping.

Per Variety, Amazon’s US video-streaming service will no longer be exclusive to the Prime free-shipping program, now available as Prime Video at $8.99 per month. That’s even a dollar less than the most common two-stream Netflix option, which itself will get rid of grandfathered subscribers in May, while Amazon will offer three concurrent streams for each account.

Previously, Amazon’s subscription video service (which includes a wealth of exclusives like Doctor Who, original series Transparent, Man in the High Castle and Woody Allen’s new series) was only available through the yearly $99 rate for Prime membership. Additionally, the full Prime membership will be available for $10.99 monthly, higher over time than the yearly rate, but an option subscribers had clamored for nonetheless.

For the moment at least, the new subscription options are only available in the United States. Will Amazon Prime become a stronger streaming competitor with a less commitment-heavy membership option?